We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Melanie Simard. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Melanie below.

Melanie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of the things we most admire about small businesses is their ability to diverge from the corporate/industry standard. Is there something that you or your brand do that differs from the industry standard? We’d love to hear about it as well as any stories you might have that illustrate how or why this difference matters.

I am often asked if I have a studio location. I do not. Instead, I travel to fun and unique venues from farmer’s markets to breweries, often pairing with local businesses and non profits to bring the innumerable benefits of yoga to the community in fun and creative ways.
Venturing outside of a typical studio setting tends to make a yoga class more approachable, especially for beginners. It also allows me more freedom to offer my own style as a yoga instructor. While I still focus on the basics such as grounding, enhancing body awareness, and connection to breath, I often include a fun theme or a groovy playlist to help students feel more at ease.

Melanie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

In my early 20’s I incurred a serious back injury requiring a major surgery and lengthy recovery. My physical therapist recommended yoga classes to regain my flexibility and range of motion. However, yoga provided me so much more! After practicing for over a decade, I decided to share the infinite benefits with the world. In July 2022, I received my RYT-200hr certification.

I now strive to offer the benefits of yoga in fun and approachable ways, making it accessible for every body regardless of experience or flexibility. I focus on providing a fun and laid back teaching style while encouraging students to become aware of their bodies, connect movements with breath, and create balance in both the body and mind. I insist students honor themselves exactly as they are, and offer plenty of modifications and variations, making my classes suitable for beginners and experienced practitioners alike.

When not practicing yoga, I enjoy traveling with my husband Chris, creating art, listening to music, running, hiking, biking, kayaking, and exploring the outdoors.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

As I mentioned, a serious back injury in my early adulthood left me incapacitated. After receiving a spinal disc replacement and fusion, I realized that it was just the start of my journey toward recovery. My surgeon advised me not to bend, twist, etc for three months until the fusion was successful. After that, my range of motion was extremely limited. I could barely reach down to my knees and my balance was non existent. However, I stuck to my physical therapy and was introduced to my first yoga class. I was fairly sedentary prior to my injury. However, now 10 years later and fully recovered, I am stronger and more flexible than I was prior to my injury. I am now an avid yogi, adventurer, and marathon runner!

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Part of my yogic journey has been discovering my authentic self, and providing this authenticity to my students. I am naturally creative, eccentric, and unconventional. By honoring these qualities, I have set myself apart from the rest. Your audience appreciates your authenticity…and it’s much more fun being yourself than trying to conform to what/who you think you’re supposed to be. Just be yourself :)

Contact Info:

• Website: www.MelanieSimardYoga.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/melaniesimardyoga?utm_source=qr&igshid=ZDc4ODBmNjlmNQ%3D%3D
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelanieSimardYoga?mibextid=ZbWKwL

Image Credits
North Shore Boston Photography